What Is a Commercial Project Manager and How to Become One

A commercial project manager oversees commercial investment projects. As a commercial project manager, you identify business opportunities, develop the goals of the project, negotiate contracts, and monitor staff to ensure the project is completed on time, within budget, and is fully compliant with all applicable laws and regulations. You most commonly find commercial project managers in the real estate and construction industries. The qualifications to become a commercial project manager include a bachelor’s degree in business or project management and several years of industry experience.

The primary qualifications for getting a job as a commercial project manager include a bachelor's degree in a related field and several years of experience working on commercial projects. This job title often refers to construction projects, but there are many other types of commercial projects. You are not limited to the construction industry if you pursue a role in this field. Commercial project managers frequently collaborate with group and department leaders, so interpersonal skills and the ability to manage relationships with many coworkers are essential for this role. Other helpful qualities for starting a career as a commercial project manager include budgeting skills, research skills, and good judgment when making estimates.